Heater



Oct. 22, 1935. A, ROBER. 2,018,535

HEATER Filed March 10, 1934 INVENTOR. AN TEN HUBER my; I

Patented Oct. 22, 1935.

UNITED s'res 2,018,535 HEATER Anton Rober, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application March 1c, 1934, Serial No. 714,969 l 11 Claims. (01.257-137) A This invention relates to heating devices and moreparticularly to an air circulating type for use primarily in heating theinterior of motor vehicles.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision ofa new and improved heater embodying both structural and functionaladvantages over those in common use today.

Another object lies in the provision of new and i0 improved means foreffecting the circulation of heated air.

A further object lies in the provision of new and improved means forexposing an increasedarea of radiating surface to the action of air tothereby effect a more rapid transfer of heat from the radiator to theflowing air A more specific object lies in t e provision of new andimproved means for eife ting the oscillating movement of vanes foreffecting an improved circulation of heated air.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

24 Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a heater constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention with parts brokenaway and ,others shown in section to more clearly illustrate itsconstruction.

30 Fig. 2 is a front elevational view with parts broken away to showadditional details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a single fin which forms a part of the heaterradiator.

36 Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the linev4'.4

Fig.3.

The heater chosen for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawingcomprises a shell or body portion I 0 preferably cylindrical in shape 40and formed of sheet metal. A plurality of apertures ll'arranged in anysuitable manner such as a series of longitudinally extending slots.serve as passages through which air may flow in a manner to behereinafter more specifically de-1 46 scribed. A rear cover plate I2 isadapted to be secured to the shell ill in any approved manner such as bysoldering or spot welding an inwardly directed flange 13 within. theshell. A central portion H of the cover plate I2 is preferably 60 dishedinwardly and terminates in a forwardly extending tubular portion IS. Aplurality of apertures I are formed in the dished portion l4 of thecover plate l2. Holes l1 and I8 preferably diametrically spaced aboveand below the center 65 of the cover l2 are adapted to receive pipes 19shell Ill.

.sure proper operations of the gears. element 42 is adapted to besecured to the lower 60 and 20 which are respectively inlet and exhaustpipes. Plugs serve as closures for the forward ends of pipes 19 and 20respectively. A spacer element 22 connects the forward ends of the pipesl9 and 20 and serves to retain them in proper spaced relationship. Theelement 22 is secured to the plugs 2| and in any suitable manner such asby the use of turned ears 23, and it is preferably provided with ends orfeet 24 adapted for anchorage to the shell I2 to retain the forward i0portion of the shell perfectly rigid. The pipes I3 and 20 are providedwith a series of spaced holes 25, and 26 respectively. These holes arepreferably elliptical to receive thin walled tubes 21 which aresimilarly shaped. Fins 28 also formed ll of thin sheet metal strips areprovided with oval openings 29 bordered along one side with ears 30formed of the stock struck from the fin in making the openings 29. Aplurality of tangs 3| are also struck from the fins these tangs serve as20 spacer elements to retain the fins in proper spaced relationship onthe several tubes 21. The ends of the tubes 21 are preferably solderedin the holes and 26- to form water tight joints.

An electric motor 32 is supported within the 25 The forwardly extendingtubular portion l5 formed in the center of the rear cover I2 is adaptedto receive the rear bearing housing of the motor. This housing may beanchored in the portion I5' in any suitable manner such as by the use ofset screws (not shown). The forward motor bearing housing may besimilarly received and retained in an opening 33 formed in the spacerelement 22. In this simple and effective manner the motor is securelyand rigidly mounted. An armature shaft 34 of the motor 32 is ,iournalledin a rear bearing 35 and a pair of spaced front bearings 36. A worm gear31 is formed on the shaft 34 intermediate the bearings 35. A fan orpropeller 38 is secured to the for 40 ward end of the armature shaft inany suitable manner so as to rotate therewith as a unit.

The front end of the motor housing is preferably formed in upper andlower parts 33 and 40 respectively. These parts serve to retain thefront bearings 36 in proper alignment. A chamber 4| is formed byrecesses in the parts 39 and 40.

This chamber serves to retain a lubricant to as- A tubular wall of alaterally extending portion 43 formed integral with the portion 40 ofthe motor housing. A shaft 44 passes through a longitudinal bore 45 inthe element 42. A worm wheel 46 is keyed tothe upper extremity of theshaft 44 and 36 front cover 6|.

2 4 the same is in mesh with the worm gear 31. An

oflset portion 41 is formed adjacent the lower ex-.

tremity of the shaft 44. The extreme lower end 48 of the shaft 44 isjournaled in the lower wall of a box-like enlargement 49 on the end ofelement 42.. The offset portion 41 forms a crank arm and is adapted toreceive one end of v a connector link 50. The other end of the connectorlink 58 is pivotally mounted on an upstanding portion 5| of an arm 52which is suitably secured to a central vane 53 which extends from top tobottom of the shell I8 and is journaled for oscillation in inwardly andrearwardly directed tangs 54. Two similarly mounted vanes 55 are spacedlaterally on either side of the vane 53. These vanes 53 and 55 arepreferably anchored .together so as to oscillate in unison. I havechosen to pass a bar 56 through aligned apertures 51 and providevertically disposed elements 58 which pass through enlarged portions onthe bar 56 and are suitably anchored to the vanes 53 and 55.

The-forward end portion of the shell I0 is provided with a plurality ofspaced resilient fingers 60. These fingers serve to releasably retain aThis cover comprises a ring element 62 the rear portion '63 of whichoverlies the .shell l0. A slightly depressed annular groove 64cooperates with the fingers to retain the cover portion in position onthe shell. A grill 65 preferably formed of a plurality of vertically andhorizontallydisposed wire elements serves to provide a protective screenfor the open front of the shell.

The entire heater element is mounted as a unit on a dash board 66 whichis provided with a pair of spaced holes 61 and 68, a pair of pipes 69and 10 respectively pass through these holes and are secured in positionon the dash board by means of Jam nuts II, which are threaded on thepipes. A manually operable valve 12 serves as a connector elementbetween the forward end of pipe 69 and the rearward end of pipe IS. Aunion [3 forms a similar connection between the forward end of pipe 10and the rearward end of pipe 20. Fluid conducting conduits 14 and 15which may be either rigid or flexible are respectively connected to'thevrearward ends of pipes 69 and 18 by means of unions 16 and 11. Theforward ends of these conduits may be connected into the cooling systemfor the radiator or to'a jacketed portion of the exhaust manifold toform a com-. plete fluid circulating system through the pipes l9 and 20and tubesZ'l.

A suitable manually controlled electric switch (not shown)v serves tocontrol the operation of the electric motor and the valve 12 serves tocontrol the flow of heating fluid through the pipes 20 heater.

and tubes. 21.'v The operation of the heater may be described briefly inthe following manner. A handle I8 on-a-valve stem 19 of. the valve I2may be turned to its open position to permit the flow of water from thecooling system through the It will be noted that the flow of waterthrough the inlet pipe I! will divide itself and flow downwardly throughthe oppositely disposed oval tubes 21 and join together in the outletpipe by said, motor for effecting movement of said flns requires theintimate contact of the air with the heated surfaces of the tubes andfins to thereby effect an extremely rapid and eflicient heat exchangewhereby the temperature of the air is raised materially. After the airhas been 5 drawn through the radiator of the heater it is dispelledthrough the grill 65. Rotation of the electric motor results in rotationof the worm gear 3'! which in turn eilects a relatively-slow rotation ofthe worm wheel 46. .The shaft 44 is 10 thereby rotated and the resultingaction on the crank arm 41 effects the oscillation and reciprocation ofthe connector link 51']. The forward and rearward'movement of theconnector link 50 eifects oscillation of the central vane 58. The 15other vanes 55 are simultaneously oscillated through the reciprocatingmovement of the bar 56. The oscillating of these varies results in anew. and improved circulation of heated air throughout the interior ofthe vehicle.

The combination of elements, above described, cooperate to form aheating device containing not only numerous structural advantages, butfunctional advantages which are far in advance of present day methods.The oval formation of the The flow of air induced by the fan 38 drawscool air through the openings l6 in the dished portion l4 of the rear.cover plate I 2. This flow of air passes directly over the entire motorcasing and results in maintaining the temperature of the motor withinits range of eflicient operation. P While the invention has beendescribedfor use as a heater, it should be-understood that by cuttingoff the circulation of fluid through the radiator that thedevice willfunction equally well to effect a' circulation of air for the purpose of45;

cooling the vehicle during the hot summer months.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail in theforegoing, specification it is understood that various changes maybemade in its embodiment ,without departing from or {10V sacrificing anyof the advantages hereinafter v claimed. 1

I claim: a A 1. A device for automobiles comprising a shell,

- a radiator within said shell, said radiator comprising an inlet pipe,an outlet pipe and a plu-' rality of thin walled tubes connecting saidpipes and lying adjacent the inner wall of said shell, a plurality .ofspaced fins associated with said tubes, means for rigidly retaining insaid shell, 00'- means for mounting an' electric motor within theconfines of said radiator, a propeller actuated by the electric motor, aplurality of vanes disposed across an open end of said shell, and meansfor effecting an oscillating movement: of, said vanes. (ii

2. A device for automobiles comprising a shell, a radiator within saidshell, means forrigidly retaining said radiator within said shell, anelectric motor within said shell, motor actuated means for inducing aflow of air through said 1 shell, an oscillatingmeans of circulating theflow of air from said heater through the interior of the automobile andmeans within said shell actuated oscillating means.

3. A heater for automobiles comprising a shell, a plurality of aperturesin said shell, a radiator within said shell lying adjacent the innerwall of said shell, a closure for one end of said shell, means foranchoring said radiator in said shell, an electric-motor rigidly mountedwithin said shell, a fan adjacent the open end of said shell, movablevanes adjacent said fan, and means within said shell actuated by saidmotor for oscillating said vanes.

v 4. A heater comprising a shell, a plurality of aperturesin'said'shell, ,a closure for one end of said shell, a radiator withinsaid shell, said radiator comprises a plurality of tubes lying adjacentthe inner wall of said shell, means for anchoring said radiator in saidshell, an electric motor rigidly mounted in said shell, a fan actuatedby said motor-for inducing a flow of air through said apertures in saidcasing and in intimate contact with said radiator for effecting atransfer of heat from said radiator to said flowing air, a plurality ofmovable vanes disposed across the open end of said shell, and meanswithin said shell actuated by said motor for efiecting oscillation ofsaid vanes.

5. A heater comprising a casing,-a plurality of apertures in saidcasing, a closure for one end of said casing, a radiator within saidcasing, said radiator comprising a plurality of thin wall tubes lyingadjacent the inner wall of said casing, means for anchoring saidradiator within said casing, an electric motor rigidly mounted withinsaid casing, a fan actuated by saidmotor for inducing a flow of airthrough said apertures in said casing and in intimate contact with saidradiator for effecting a transfer of heat from said radiator to saidflowing air, a plurality of mov-.

able vanes disposed across the open end of said casing, motor actuatedmeans within said casing for efiecting movement of said vanes, andmanually operable means for controlling the flow oi fluid through saidradiator.

6. A heater for automobiles comprising a casing, a plurality ofapertures in the wall of said casing, a closure for one end of saidcasing, a radiator comprising a plurality of thin wall tubes lyingadjacent the inner wall of said casing, means for rigidly retaining saidradiator within said casing, an electric motor'rigidly mounted withinsaid radiator, a propeller actuated by said motor for inducing a flow ofair through the apertures in said casing and in intimate contact withsaid radiator for effecting a transfer of heat from said radiator to theflowing air, a plurality of movable vanes disposed across the open endof said shell, and motor actuated means for efiecting movement of saidvanes whereby the heated air is circulated from the heater through theinterior of the automobile.

'7. A heater for automobiles comprising a casing, a plurality ofapertures in the wall of said casing, a closure for one end of saidcasing, a plurality of movable vanes disposed across the open end ofsaid casing, a radiator element comprising a plurality of thin walledtubes lying adjacent the inner wall of said casing, an electric motorwithin the confines of said radiator, a propeller actuated by saidmotor, for inducing a flow of air through the apertures in said casingand in intimate contact with said radiator for effecting a transfer ofheat from said radiator to the flowing air, and motor actuated means forefiecting movement of said vanes whereby the heated air is circulatedfrom the heater.

through the interior of the automobile.

8. A heater for automobiles comprising a casing, a plurality ofapertures in the wall of said casing, a closure for one end of saidcasing, a radiator comprising a plurality of thin walled tubes lyingadjacent the inner wall of said casing, an electric motor within saidcasing, a propeller actuated by said motor for inducing a flow of airthrough the apertures in said casing and .in intimate contact with saidradiator whereby a rapid heat exchange is efi'ected, a plurality ofmovable vanes disposed across the open end of said casing,motor'actuated means for effecting oscillation of said vanes, saidpropeller serving as an impeller for effecting circulation of airthrough said vehicle.

9. A device for automobiles comprising a casing, a plurality ofapertures in the wall of said casing, a closure for one end of said"casing, a radiator lying adjacent the inner wall of said casing, meansfor rigidly mounting said radiator within said casing, an electric motorwithin said casing, a propeller actuated by said motor for inducing aflow of air over the surface of said radiator through said apertures insaid casing, a plurality of movable vanes disposed across the open endof said casing, motor actuated means for effectsaid vanes, and apropeller actuated by said motor for inducing a flow of air through theapertures in said casing and in intimate contact with said radiatorwhereby a rapid transfer of heat is effected, said propeller serving asan impeller to circulate the heated air throughout the interior of saidautomobile.

'11. A device for automobiles comprising a cas ing a plurality ofapertures in the wall of said casing, a closure for one end of saidcasing, a radiator element disposed within said casing and lyingadjacent the inner wall thereof, an electric motor within said casing, apropeller actuated by said motor for inducing a flow of air through saidapertures in the wall of said casing to effect a transfer of heat to theair and circulating the same within the automobile, means for regulat-

